@article { ISI:000260774300012, title = {Sol-gel synthesis of MoO(3)/SiO(2) composite for catalytic application in condensation of anisole with paraformaldehyde}, journal = {Catalysis Letters}, volume = {126}, number = {3-4}, year = {2008}, month = {DEC}, pages = {286-292}, publisher = {SPRINGER}, address = {233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA}, abstract = {

MoO(3)/SiO(2) composite with varying amounts of MoO(3) loading (1-20 wt.\%) were prepared by sol-gel method and calcined at 500 C. These catalysts were employed for the liquid phase condensation of anisole with paraformaldehyde. All the catalysts were characterized by N(2) sorption, XRD, and NH(3)-TPD. The activities of synthesized MoO(3)/SiO(2) catalysts were compared with p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA), the most frequently used catalyst for the condensation reactions, and with a supported metal oxide (WO (x) /ZrO(2)). Under the similar reaction conditions, synthesized 10 wt.\% MoO(3)/SiO(2) catalyst calcined at 500 C was found to be the most active in the condensation of anisole with paraformaldehyde.

}, keywords = {4, 4{\textquoteright}-Dimethoxydiphenylmethane, Condensation of anisole, MoO(3)/SiO(2) composites, Paraformaldehyde, Sol-gel synthesis}, issn = {1011-372X}, doi = {10.1007/s10562-008-9611-5}, author = {Amrute, Amol P. and Bordoloi, Ankur and Lucas, Nishita and Palraj, K. and Halligudi, Shivaraj B.} } @article { ISI:000381165300025, title = {Studies of synergy between metal-support interfaces and selective hydrogenation of HMF to DMF in water}, journal = {Journal of Catalysis}, volume = {340}, year = {2016}, month = {AUG}, pages = {248-260}, publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE}, address = {525 B ST, STE 1900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-4495 USA}, abstract = {

Metal-support interfaces play a very important role in heterogeneous catalysis. The interfacial interactions not only are responsible for stabilizing the necessary oxidation state to facilitate the reaction but also enhance the stability of the catalyst system. Nano dispersion of Ni on mesoporous nitrogen-rich carbon material has been achieved using two different synthesis methods. It was observed that nickel (0) gets stabilized by strong interfacial interaction with the nitrogen atoms of the support material, and the material was found to be very economic and efficient for the conversion of HMF to DMF in aqueous medium. The material shows \>= 99\% conversion to 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural (HMF) within 6 h of reaction with 98.7\% DMF selectivity. A unique correlation between synthesis methods and particle sizes with catalytic performance has been observed for these newly developed materials. Furthermore, a DFT calculation has been performed to predict the reaction mechanism. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {biofuels, Biomass, Hydrogenation, mesoporous carbon, Ni-CNx}, issn = {0021-9517}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcat.2016.05.012}, author = {Goyal, Reena and Sarkar, Bipul and Bag, Arijit and Siddiqui, Nazia and Dumbre, Deepa K. and Lucas, Nishita and Bhargava, Suresh Kumar and Bordoloi, Ankur} } @article {49719, title = {Sustainable UV absorbing bio-plastic films by valorisation of humins and chitosan}, journal = {International Journal of Biological Macromolecules}, volume = {311}, year = {2025}, month = {JUN}, pages = {143710}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Humins, an inevitable bio-refinery waste by-product of sugar dehydration have been efficiently utilized for the first time for developing biodegradable thin films for UV shielding. The films were prepared from chitosan, and humins, a novel combination, aiming towards simultaneous utilization of marine and bio-refinery waste, rendering simple, effective, robust UV absorbing films. The structure-activity relationship of these films were elucidated with the help of different analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, Tensile testing, Contact angle measurements and water absorption studies. Intrinsic biodegradability was studied using fungi i.e. Aspergillus niger. Different feedstocks (corncob, rice husk, glucose and xylose) were explored for generating humins. Amongst them, humins derived from xylose were utilized for the preparation of the bio-plastic films of chitosan. The results revealed that, addition of 5.0 \% humins was observed to be an optimum concentration yielding films with excellent UV absorption, mechanical properties, and biodegradability. The current work is in perfect alignment with sustainability and green chemistry as it ameliorates waste valorization (lignocellulosic and marine altogether). Further, its innovation stems from the first-hand use of humins for UV absorption, novel combination of biopolymers, use of green raw materials.

}, keywords = {biodegradable, Chitosan, Humins, Thin films, UV absorption, Waste valorization}, issn = {0141-8130}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143710}, author = {Lucas, Nishita and Tambe, Snehal S. and Parate, Roopa and Hengne, Amol and Rode, C. V. and Athawale, Anjali A.} }